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KANSAS CITY – Shortstop Alberto Gonzalez was lifted from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre’s game against Louisville last night and is a good bet to be with the Yankees in time for tonight’s game versus the Royals.

With Derek Jeter out at least until Friday and possibly a DL candidate due to a strained left quad, the Yanks need somebody better defensively at short than Wilson Betemit, who has filled in the past two games.

Gonzalez, who was obtained from Arizona in the Randy Johnson deal, is a defensive whiz with trouble putting two good halves together at the plate.

GM Brian Cashman said he would be comfortable with Alex Rodriguez returning to the position he played during the first 10 years in the big leagues. However, Cashman said that would only happen in a long-term situation. As of last night, a decision to place Jeter on the DL hadn’t been made.

“Whatever Joe [manager Girardi] wants I will do,” Rodriguez said after striking out four times in yesterday’s 5-2 loss.

Girardi said yesterday that Jeter, who initially felt what he thought was a cramp during Sunday’s game, left Monday’s game after two innings and had an MRI Monday night. The test didn’t reveal a tear but showed something, and Jeter will miss the three games against the Royals and be evaluated prior to Friday night’s tilt at Fenway Park against the Red Sox.

Jeter couldn’t tell what shape the leg was in yesterday since he didn’t test it. Jeter started the 2001 season on the DL with a strained right quad.

“I haven’t done anything today,” Jeter said after an extensive stint in the trainer’s room for treatment. “I don’t feel it walking around. I don’t have anything for you.”

As for placing Jeter on the DL, Girardi said that decision isn’t imminent.

“We are a long way away from that,” Girardi said. “We will evaluate after this three-game series.”

Betemit, who moved from first to short Monday night, started at short yesterday and dropped a throw from Jorge Posada that would have caught Tony Pena Jr. stealing second.

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Pitching coach Dave Eiland is the latest Yankee to contract the nasty flu germ that has galloped through the clubhouse.

Jason Giambi returned to first base after missing the previous two games with a left groin problem. He went 0-for-2 and walked twice. Giambi is batting .071 (1-for-14).